Santa Monica College has received $355,000 in funding from United Way of Greater Los Angeles to expand a certificate program that trains students to work on the front lines of homelessness services, it was announced Thursday.
The funding will support the school’s Homeless Service Work program, which prepares students to become case managers, housing navigators and street outreach workers. All program costs are covered, and students receive hands-on field experience with local nonprofit organizations.
Los Angeles County continues to face one of the nation’s largest homelessness crises, with more than 72,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night, according to a statement.
The program, launched in 2024 with initial seed funding from United Way, was created in response to a shortage of trained homelessness service workers in the county. Students complete 30 hours of supervised fieldwork and receive instruction in areas including crisis intervention, trauma-informed care and housing navigation, according to officials.
United Way officials said the new funding will allow the college to cover student fees and provide additional support services, including job-placement assistance and supervised internships with nonprofit partners.
“The demand for trained professionals has never been greater,” Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery, superintendent-president of Santa Monica College, said in a statement.
“As we prepare to welcome our second cohort in February, this funding allows us to do what our community needs most — prepare a skilled, compassionate workforce to support individuals experiencing homelessness. Our students and faculty are answering that call with heart, purpose and dedication.”
Elise Buik, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Los Angeles, said the program addresses a critical workforce gap.
“Helping our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness requires a caring, compassionate and well-trained workforce,” Buik said. “Investing in Santa Monica College’s Homeless Service Work Certificate is an opportunity to invest in training a vital workforce but also to invest in solutions for homelessness.”
A recent workforce analysis commissioned by United Way and conducted by KPMG found that a lack of training is one of the biggest challenges facing homelessness service providers. In focus groups, 60% of case managers cited insufficient training as their primary obstacle, according to the study, which also found that role-specific training can improve employee retention.
Applications for the program’s second cohort are being accepted through noon Feb. 6.
Classes begin Feb. 17 and are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
More information about the program and application process is available at smc.edu/HomelessServiceWork.